Multimedia connector cable

ABSTRACT

A multimedia connector cable having a cable encasing a plurality of optical fibers. The cable having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end having an electrical connector in optical communication with the plurality of optical fibers. The distal end having an optical connector in optical communication with the plurality of optical fibers.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to the U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 63/138,211, filed on Jan. 15, 2021, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a multimedia cable, and moreparticularly the present invention relates to a multimedia connectorcable.

BACKGROUND

HDMI active optical cables (HDMI AOC) are known in the art that allowsextending cable lengths to several feet without compromising thequality. The optical fibers in the HDMI active optical cables can carryhigh bandwidth data up to several feet of cable lengths. The long HDMIactive optical cables can be wired behind the walls to provideconnectivity between the source device and target device.

However, the known HDMI AOC suffers from two major drawbacks. First, theconnector of the cable can break easily leaving the entire cableuseless. Replacing the whole cable running behind the walls can belabor-intensive, hectic, and expensive. Generally, a limited number ofconnectors are available in the multimedia devices and the connectormust be unplugged and plugged multiple times to switch between devices.For example, it is common for the children playing rough video games toplug and unplug the cables multiple times which may damage theconnectors.

Second, technology is upgrading every day. 4 k video is standardnowadays while 8 k can be near future and 12 k video data transfer willbe feasible. It is not desired that a user replaces complete wiring in abuilding to upgrade to future technologies.

Thus, a desire is there for a multimedia connector cable that overcomesthe aforesaid drawbacks of known HDMI AOC cables.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of one or more embodimentsof the present invention in order to provide a basic understanding ofsuch embodiments. This summary is not an extensive overview of allcontemplated embodiments and is intended to neither identify key orcritical elements of all embodiments nor delineate the scope of any orall embodiments. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one ormore embodiments in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detaileddescription that is presented later.

The principal object of the present invention is therefore directed to amultimedia connector cable that can be replaced without changing thewiring behind the walls.

It is another object of the present invention that multimedia connectorcable can be future-ready.

It is still another object of the present invention that the multimediaconnector cable does not impact the quality of the multimedia transfer.

It is a further object of the present invention that the multimediaconnector cable is economical to manufacture.

In one aspect, the disclosed multimedia connector cable having a cableencasing a plurality of optical fibers. The cable having a proximal endand a distal end. The proximal end having an electrical connector inoptical communication with the plurality of optical fibers. The distalend having an optical connector in optical communication with theplurality of optical fibers.

In one aspect, the electrical connector is having a transmittercircuitry for converting electrical signals to light signals fortransmitting through the plurality of optical fibers. The electricalconnector can have an HDMI interface or a USB interface. The USBinterface can be any of the known USB interfaces for high bandwidth datatransfer, such as USB-C.

In one aspect, the disclosed electrical connector can have a receivingcircuitry for converting the light signals to electrical signals. Thereceiving circuitry can be powered externally, for example using a USBinterface cable.

In one aspect, the optical connector can be an LC connector or an MPOconnector. The optical connector can have a male interface or a femaleinterface. The other part of the optical connector (mating opticalconnector) can connect to the longer optical cable.

These and other objects and advantages of the embodiments herein and thesummary will become readily apparent from the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, which are incorporated herein, form part ofthe specification and illustrate embodiments of the present invention.Together with the description, the figures further explain theprinciples of the present invention and to enable a person skilled inthe relevant arts to make and use the invention.

FIG. 1 shows the multimedia connector cable for the target device has anHDMI interface and USB cable for the power supply, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is the multimedia connector cable for the source device having anHDMI interface, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is another exemplary embodiment of the multimedia connector cablefor the target device having a hi-speed USB interface and USB cable forpower supply, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is the multimedia connector cable for the source device havingthe hi-speed USB interface, according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Subject matter will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, andwhich show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments.Subject matter may, however, be embodied in a variety of different formsand, therefore, covered or claimed subject matter is intended to beconstrued as not being limited to any exemplary embodiments set forthherein; exemplary embodiments are provided merely to be illustrative.Likewise, a reasonably broad scope for claimed or covered subject matteris intended. Among other things, for example, the subject matter may beembodied as methods, devices, components, or systems. The followingdetailed description is, therefore, not intended to be taken in alimiting sense.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example,instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as“exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the term “embodiments ofthe present invention” does not require that all embodiments of theinvention include the discussed feature, advantage, or mode ofoperation.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of embodiments ofthe invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the”are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the contextclearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that theterms “comprises”, “comprising,”, “includes” and/or “including”, whenused herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps,operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The following detailed description includes the best currentlycontemplated mode or modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of theinvention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but ismade merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles ofthe invention, since the scope of the invention will be best defined bythe allowed claims of any resulting patent.

Disclosed is a multimedia optical connector for high bandwidth datatransfer through optical cables. Referring to FIG. 1, which shows anexemplary embodiment of the multimedia optical connector 100. Themultimedia connector cable 100 having an optical cable 110 which canhave a plurality of optical fibers ranging from 2-24 optical fibers. Theoptical connector cable having a proximal end and a distal end. Theproximal end having an electrical connector 120 while the distal end canhave an optical connector 130. The optical connector can be an MPO(Multi-fiber push-on) connector. The MPO connector can have a maleinterface or a female interface, wherein the male interface connectorcan intermate with a female interface optical connector. Thecorresponding female interface optical connector can be on a longeroptical cable. Similarly, in case the optical connector 130 is having afemale interface, the mating optical connector can be having a maleinterface. The longer optical cable can be wired in the walls runningseveral feet for connecting the source device to the target device. Thesource device can be a multimedia player, CPU unit, and like. The targetdevice can be a display, projector, and like. The mating opticalconnectors of the long optical cable can be installed in a wallswitchboard and like. The long optical cable can be of a length up to500 feet.

The electrical connector can have an interface for electricallyconnecting to the source device or the target device. FIG. 1 shows theelectrical connector 120 having an HDMI interface. Depending on whetherthe electrical connector is for the source device or target device, theelectrical connector can have a transmitting circuitry or a receivingcircuitry. The transmitting circuitry can convert the electrical signalsto the light signals for transmitting through the plurality of opticalfibers encased in the optical cable. The receiving circuitry can convertthe light signals received through the optical fibers to the electricalsignals. The electrical signals can then be transmitting to the targetdevice. The transmitting circuitry can be powered by the source deviceor can be externally powered. Similarly, the receiving circuitry can bepowered by the target device or can be powered externally. Generally,the receiving circuitry is powered externally while the transmittingcircuitry can be powered by the source device.

FIG. 1 shows the multimedia connector cable 100 for the target devicehaving the receiving circuitry. There is an extra USB cable 140extending from the electrical connector 120 which is a USB cable and canbe used to power the receiving circuitry.

FIG. 2 shows the multimedia connector cable 200 for the source device.The multimedia connector cable 200 is also having an electricalconnector 210 connected to the optical cable 220 which on its oppositeend can have the optical connector 230. The electrical connector 210 canhave the transmitting circuitry for converting the electrical signalsfrom the source device into the light signals for transmitting throughthe optical cable 220. The transmitting circuitry can be powered by thesource device itself.

FIG. 3 shows another exemplary embodiment of the multimedia connectorcable 300 having the electrical connector 310 connected to the opticalconnector 320 through the optical cable 330. The electrical connectorhaving a hi-speed USB interface, such as USB-A or USB-C. The USBinterface can be having an adaptor to switch the USB interface between asmall form factor and a big form factor. The multimedia connector cable300 can be for a source device. FIG. 4 shows the similar multimediaconnector cable 400 for the target device. The multimedia connectorcable 400 having the electrical connector 410 connected at one end ofthe optical cable 420 and the opposite end of the optical cable 420connected to the optical connector 430. A power cable 440 which ishaving a USB interface can also be seen extending from the electricalconnector 440. It is to be understood that the power cable is preferablyfor a standard format, such as USB but all types of electricalinterfaces are within the scope of the present invention. Also, theelectrical connector has been described using the HDMI interface and theUSB interface, however, other types of electrical multimedia connectorsare within the scope of the present invention. Also, the electricalconnector can have both the transmitting circuitry and the receivingcircuitry.

In one exemplary embodiment is disclosed a cable assembly having a longoptical cable of lengths up to 500 feet or more. Both ends of the longoptical cable can have mating optical connectors. At one end of the longoptical cable can be removably coupled a first multimedia connectorcable having a transmitting circuitry while the other end of the longoptical cable can have a second multimedia connector cable having areceiving circuitry. Both the first and second multimedia connectorcables are removably coupled to the long optical cable.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one ofordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be thebest mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand andappreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents ofthe specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The inventionshould therefore not be limited by the above-described embodiment,method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within thescope and spirit of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cable assembly comprising: a long optical cablehaving a first mating optical connector at a first end and a secondmating optical connector at another end, wherein the first matingoptical connector and the second mating optical connector are configuredto be installed in a wall switchboard; a first multimedia connectorcable comprising: a first short optical cable encasing a plurality ofoptical fibers, the first short optical cable having a proximal end anda distal end, a first electrical connector optically connected to theproximal end of the first short optical cable, the first electricalconnector having a first multimedia interface for electricallyconnecting to a source device, and a first optical connector opticallyconnected to the distal end of the first short optical cable, the firstoptical connector configured to removable and optically connect to thefirst mating optical connector; and a second multimedia connector cablecomprising: a second short optical cable encasing a plurality of opticalfibers, the second short optical cable having a proximal end and adistal end, a second electrical connector optically connected to theproximal end of the second short optical cable, the second electricalconnector having a second multimedia interface for electricallyconnecting to a target device, and a second optical connector opticallyconnected to the distal end of the second short optical cable, thesecond optical connector configured to removable and optically connectto the second mating optical connector, wherein both the firstelectrical connector and the second electrical connector are having areceiving circuitry for converting light signals to electrical signalsand a transmitting circuitry for converting electrical signals to thelight signals, wherein the receiving circuitry is powered externally,wherein the second multimedia connector cable further comprises a USBcable extending from the receiving circuitry for receiving power througha power source, the first multimedia connector cable and the secondmultimedia connector cable are short in length than the long opticalcable, wherein the first multimedia connector cable and the secondmultimedia connector are of the same length.
 2. The cable assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein the first multimedia interface and thesecond multimedia interface are HDMI interfaces.
 3. The cable assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein the first multimedia interface and thesecond multimedia interface are USB interfaces.
 4. The cable assemblyaccording to claim 3, wherein the hi-speed USB interface is USB-C. 5.The cable assembly according to claim 1, wherein the optical connectoris a multi-fiber push-on connector.